Mechanism for raising and lowering plow frames relative to the ground wheels



March 11, 1952 w T GRAHAM 2,588,918

MECHANISM FOR IRAIISING AND LOWERING PLOW FRAMES RELATIVE TO THE GROUND WHEELS 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 Filed NOV. '7, 194'? 3nvento1:

VV/l/iam 7. Graham (Ittomegs March 1952 w. T. GRAHAM MECHANISM FOR RAISING AND LOWERING PLOW FRAMES RELATIVE TO THE GROUND WHEELS Filed Nov. 7, 194? 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 r O f. n e D n 3 y m M 7 Patented Mar. 11, 1952 UNITED- STATES PATENT OFFICE MECHANISM'FOR' RAISING AND LOWERIN G RELATIVE TO THE PLOW FRAME S GROUND WHEELS.

7 Claims. 1

This invention relates to plows and particularly to a mechanism for raising and'lowering a plow frame relatively to the ground wheels and has for its principal object to provide a mechanism of this character which includes a fluid pressure actuator in conjunction with a manually operable lever mechanism.

The lifting range usually required in a plow is greater than the ran'gethat can" be conveni ently effected with-movement of a handlever or a pressure cylinder of practical. length. Therefore; it is a further object of the invention to provide an auxiliary rack and pawl mechanism for the hand operated lever whereby the auxiliary rack may be adjusted to keep the hand lever movement withinth'e' operating range of the primary rack and pawl mechanism and to permit use of a relatively short fluid pressure actuator.

Other objects. of theinvention are to provide a structure which utilizes the pressure cylinder as a connecting link between the ground wheel carryingarms and the auxiliary rack mechanism; and to provide a power lift mechanism in conjunction with a manually operated mechanism that is of simple and inexpensive construction and which is of positive operation.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I have provided improved structure, the preferred. forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a plow equipped with a lifting mechanism embodying the features of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentaryperspective view of one end of the plow frame showing thelifting mechalilSm.

Fig. 3 is a detail section illustrating the connection of the fluid pressure actuated cylinder with the auxiliary rack.

Fig; 4 is a plan view of a plow equipped with a modified form of lifting mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the fluid actuated cylinders used in the form of the invention shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section through. the cylinder, particularly illustrating the mounting bracket.

Fig. '7 is a sectional View taken on the line '1--'! of Fig. 4.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

I designates a ground working machine, for example, a plow of the type illustrated in the Noell et al. Patent No. 2,029,249, January 28, 1936. Briefly the plow includes a frame 20f rectangular shape and comprises front, intermediate and rear transverse beams 3, d and 5. The front and rear beams 3 and 5 are of longer length than the intermediate beam sand the outer ends are interconnected by longitudinal beams 5 and Lto cooperate with inwardly disposed longitudinal beams 8 and l to form wheel pockets [I0 and I l. The inwardly disposed beams 8 and 9 are carried by the front and rear beams 3 and 5 and provide connections for the ends of the intermediate beam 4 as best shown in Fig. 1; The frame of the plow alsoincludes a tongue 12' that is fixed across the transverse beams 3, 4 and. ii and extends forwardly to connect with a tractor or other draft means (not shown). through a coupling l3. Extending transversely across the front portion of each wheel pocket are shafts M and I 5 having their ends oscillatably mounted in bearings l6 and H attached to the facing sides of the beams $-8 and '|'9 respectively as shown in Fig. l.

Secured to the respective shafts M and I5 adjacent the beams 8- and 9 are Wheel mounting arms [8 and [9 which extend downwardly and rearwardly through the wheel pockets and carry spindles 20 for mounting ground whee-ls 2| and 22 which provide rolling support for the respective ends of the plow frame and to carry the ground working tools 23 at the desired working depths when the plow is in use. In order to raise and lower the ground working tools, the wheel arms I8 and ifiareconnect'ed with lifting mechanisms 24 and 25 which are constructed in accordance with thepresent invention.

The lifting mechanisms are of identical con struction and each includes an arcuate-shaped primary rack 25 preferably forming a quadrant and having a series of teeth 27. The ends of the quadrant terminate in. downwardly extending attaching portions 23 and. 2-9; the attaching portion 28 being directly secured to the side face of thebeams" 8 and 9 and the attaching portion 29 to the upper ends of brackets 30.

The brackets 30 each comprise spaced straps 3i and 32 disposed on the respective sides ofthe attaching portions 2%) and are secured thereto by fastening devices such as rivets 33. The inner straps 3| are preferably straight but the outer straps 32 diverge outwardly therefrom and are spaced apart at their lower ends by spacers 34 having outwardly diverging ears and 35 to form a yoke in which is mounted an auxiliary rack 31 and a manually operable lever 38. for each lifting mechanism. The lower ends of the straps 3!.32 and the spacers 3-iare'securedv to the side face of the inner beams ii and 54 bysuitable fastening devices 39. Each lever 33 comprises an elongated bar which has its lower end pivotally mounted between the ears 35 and 36 on a cross pin 40. The levers thus extend upwardly and rearwardly alongside of the primary racks. The free end of each lever carries a cross bar 4| forming a handle to be used in cooperation with handles 42 and 43 of pawl operating rods 44 and 45 that extend downwardly along the respective sides of the lever and which terminate in pawls 46 and 4! that engage between the teeth 2'! of the primary racks and teeth 48 of the auxiliary racks. The rods are suitably mounted for reciprocatory movement in bearings 49 attached to the respective sides of the lever and the pawls are normally retained in engagement with the racks by springs 50 and The secondary rack is also in the form of a quadrant and include an arcuate portion 52 having the teeth 48 and which is carried by arms 53 and 54 extending from a hub 55 rotatably mounted on the pin 48 alongside the levers 38. Each auxiliary rack is thus supported to swing within the plane of its primary rack and the pivot point is located coaxial with the center of the primary rack. Each arm 54 is provided with a series of openings 56 so as to provide adjustable connection with fluid pressure actuator 5! that form a connecting link between the respective wheel mounting arms is and I9 and the primary racks. The fluid pressure actuators 5! each include a cylinder 58 adjustably secured in clamp brackets 59 having spindles 60 adapted to engage in one or the other of the openings 56. The upper end of each cylinder is closed by a head 6| having an inlet connection 62 with a flexible fluid pressure supply duct 63 that connects with a pipe S4 that extends along the inner side of the front beam 3 as shown in Fig. 1 and which connects adjacent the tongue 12 with a forwardly extending pipe 65, the pipe ii5'having a suitable coupling 66 by which it may be attached to the source of pressure supply, for example, the hydraulic system with which most tractors are now equipped.

The lower end of each cylinder is closed by a head 61 in which is reciprocably mounted a piston rod 68 carrying a piston 39 that is slidable in the cylinder under pressure of the fluid admitted through the flexible duct 63. The opposite end of each piston rod 68 has a pin adapted to engage inone or the other of a plurality of openings N that are provided in brackets 12 attached to the wheel carrying arms !8 and I!) as best shown in Fig. 2. It is obvious that when the pawls engage the teeth of the respective racks the auxiliary racks are locked in fixed position. Therefore when pressure fluid is admitted into the upper ends of the cylinders 58 to act against the pistons 69, the piston rods 68 are projected downwardly against the wheel supporting arms l8 and I9 to effect lifting on the frame of the plow.

Since the cylinders are of limited length, the desired lifting range may be provided by releasing the pawls 4B and moving the lever arm 38 to a lower position on the primary racks. This movement of the lever arms swing the auxiliary racks downwardly to effect lengthening of the connecting linkage with the wheel supporting arms. If the range of movement afforded by the fluid pressure actuator is not sufficient to provide the desired lift of plow frame, both pawls 46 and 41 are released from enagagement with the notches of the primary and auxiliary racks and the levers are moved to a higher position on the auxiliary racks, after which the pawls 41 are engaged with the teeth of the auxiliary racks. This adjustment acts to lengthen the linkage and further adjustment may then be obtained within range of the primary racks by moving the levers and re-engaging the pawls 46 with the primary racks. It is thus obvious that with the structure illustrated and described, it i possible to obtain a relatively high lift for the plow frame with a relatively short fluid pressure actuator and that the manual levers are kept within a convenient range of movement for the operator of the plow.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 4-7, the primary racks 26 areconnected with the wheel carrying arms [8 and I!) by links 13 and the hand levers 38 are operated by a single fluid pressure actuator 14 that may be mounted on the tongue of the plow. In the illustrated instance the actuator i4 includes a cylinder 55 having its end mounted in a bracket 15 that forms a head H for the front end of the cylinder and a support 18 for the rear end of the cylinder. The head 1'! is provided with a pressure fluid inlet port 19 which is connected with a fluid pressure supply duct 86 leading forwardly along the tongue as in the case of the supply duct 65 previously described.

The bracket 1'6 also includes a bar portion 8| extending along the length of the cylinder and which is provided with a plurality of openings 82 whereby the cylinder may be adjustably connected to a bracket 83 fixed to the tongue of the plow. Slidable in the cylinder is a piston 84 carrying a piston rod 35 that extends rearwardly and connects through a pin 86 with arms 81 and 88 attached to the inner ends of rock shafts 89 and 90. The rock shafts 8S and.

9!! are suitably mounted in bearings 9! carried on the intermediate beam 40f the plow frame and the outer ends are provided with lever arms 92 and 93 that connect withthe manually operated levers by links 94 and 95. l

In this form of the invention, the initial adjustment is made by releasing both pawls and moving the hand levers to a desired position relative to the auxiliary racks whereupon the pawls for the auxiliary racks are caused to engage therewith after which the hand levers may be moved to .the required position on the primary racks. If the pressure fluid cylinder is used in actuating the lift the pawl for the primary lever is locked out of latch engagement so that the levers are entirely under control of the actuating cylinder.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have provided a combination manual and power lift for plows which is of simple and inexpensive construction and which effects a substantially high lift with a minimum range of movement of the manual levers and a relatively short operating cylinder.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: V

1. In a device of the character described, a frame, a ground wheel, means mounting the ground wheel on the frame for raising and lowering of the frame relative to the ground wheel, a fluid pressure actuator forming an adjustable linkage between said ground wheel mounting means and the frame, and manual means for raising and lowering the frame through the linkage eifected by said fluid pressure actuator.

2. In a device of the character described, a

frame, a ground wheel, means mounting the frame on the ground wheel for raising the frame relatively to the ground wheel, a primary rack segment fixed to the frame, an auxiliary rack segment pivotally mounted on the frame, a lever pivotally mounted coaxially' of the pivotal mountirlg of the auxiliary rack, pawls on the lever respectively engaging the primary and auxiliary racks for latching the lever and auxiliary rack from movement on the frame, a fluid pressure actuator connecting the auxiliary rack with said wheel mounting, and means for supplying a fluid pressure medium to said actuator to effect raising of the frame when the pawls are engaged with said racks.

3. In a device of the character described, a frame, an arm pivotally mounted on the frame, a spindle on the arm, a ground Wheel carried on the spindle, a primary rack segment fixed to the frame, an auxiliary rack segment pivotally mounted on the frame, a lever pivotally mounted coaxially of the pivotal mounting of the auxiliary rack, pawls on the lever respectively engaging the primary and auxiliary racks for latching the lever and auxiliary rack from movement on the frame, a fluid pressure actuator connecting the auxiliary rack with said arm, and means for supplying a fluid pressure medium to said actuator to effect raising of the frame when the pawls are engaged with said racks.

4. In a device of the character described, a frame, an arm pivotally mounted on the frame, a spindle on the arm, a ground wheel carried on the spindle, a bracket on the arm having a series of apertures, a primary rack segment fixed to the frame, an auxiliary rack segment pivotally mounted on the frame and having a series of apertures spaced from the pivotal axis of said auxiliary rack segment, a lever pivotally mounted coaxially of the pivotal mounting of the auxiliary rack, pawls on the lever respectively engaging the primary and auxiliary racks for latching the lever and auxiliary rack from movement on the frame, a fluid pressure actuator having means engaging one of the apertures in the auxiliary rack and one of the apertures in said bracket for forming a linkage between the arm and said auxiliary rack, and means for supplying a fluid pressure medium to said actuator to effect raising of the frame when the pawls are engaged with said racks.

5. In a device of the character described, a frame, an arm pivotally mounted on the frame, a spindle on the arm, a wheel carried on the spindle, an auxiliary member pivotally mounted on the frame, a fluid pressure actuator connecting the auxiliary member with said arm for raising the frame relatively to said wheel, and means for adjustablyflxing the auxiliary member against pivotal movement on the frame to vary the eifective linkage provided by said fluid pressure actuator, and means for supplying a fluid pressure medium to said actuator.

63. In a device of the character described, a frame, an arm pivotally mounted on the frame, a spindle on the arm, a Wheel carried on the spindle, an auxiliary member pivotally mounted on the frame, a fluid pressure actuator connecting the auxiliary member with said arm for raising the frame relatively to said Wheel, and manual means for adjustably fixing the auxiliary member against pivotal movement on the frame to vary the effective linkage provided by said fluid pressure actuator, and means for supplying a fluid pressure medium to said actuator.

7. In a farm implement having a main frame carrying a group of earth-working implements, a pair of lift arms adjacent opposite ends of the main frame, one end of each arm being pivoted to the frame, a ground-contacting wheel mounted on the opposing end of each lift arm remote from that which is pivoted to the main frame, said wheels being rotatable about a common axis and supporting the frame in spaced relation to the ground, two upstanding quadrants mounted on the frame adjacent the ends of the frame and the lift arms, a hand lever pivotally secured to each quadrant adjacent the main frame, and a latohon each hand lever for cooperation with an adjacent quadrant in holding its respective lever in various angular positions relative to the main frame, the improvement which comprises a hydraulic cylinder pivoted to each lever, a piston rod extending axially through one end of each cylinder and being connected to an adjacent lift arm for moving said arm relative to the frame and common conduit means for the cylinders mounted on the frame.

WILLIAM T. GRAHAM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,176,077 Melton Mar. 21, 1916 1,659,235 Boda Feb. 14, 1928 2,029,249 Noell et a1. Jan. 28, 1936 2,082,163 Jeoffroy June 1, 1937 2,195,631 Post et a1. Apr. 2, 1940 2,323,412 Noble July 6, 1943 2,330,304 Mott Sept. 28, 1943 2,352,281 Mott June 27, 1944 2,394,117 Strandlund Feb. 5, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 9,775 Denmark Feb. 15, 1946 

